The Power of a Spider Web
While in the process of writing a devotional commentary on Psalm 91, I came across a story that spoke volumes about how God may perform His word over us in unexpected ways. I found this story to be a faith-building confirmation of Psalm 91:14 (NKJV), which says this. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. {15} He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. {16} With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.””
I chose to take the story from the “tell me a story blogspot,” but it is the same in many other places online. Here is the story: There is a story of a missionary in North Africa whose name is Frederick Nolan. It has been written about in many books and internet blogs. “Tell Me a Story,” is an internet blog written by Mark Edge. Here is how the blog related the story.
“Nolan was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North African. Vigilantly pursued by his foes, Nolan was running out of places to hide. Finally, bone-tired he came upon a small cave. Hiding inside, he expected his enemies to find him. Certain he was awaiting his death, he saw a spider begin to weave a web. Within minutes, the insect had woven an intricate web across the mouth of the cave. Shortly thereafter, his hunters arrived. At first, they suspected Nolan had entered the cave. Then, they considered how it would have been impossible for him to have entered without destroying the web. So they left. Nolan escaped his potential captors. Later, contemplating his fate, he wrote, “Where God is, a spider’s web is like a wall. Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web.””
Below, I have paraphrased the message in Psalm 91:14, by personalizing it to the story of Frederick Nolan. His story fits perfectly with God’s promises in this verse. It also agrees with the doctrine of Christ’s supremacy, found in Philippians 2:5-11. Here is my paraphrase:
“Because My son Frederick Nolan set His love upon the Me and had intimate knowledge of My name, I intervened to deliver him from his pursuers. To demonstrate My sovereign will and power, I used the most fragile barrier there can be – a spider web, made from the finest silk of the spider. The web became a wall that set Frederick beyond the reach of his pursuers and their evil motives. They would not, and could not penetrate it to harm my beloved son, Frederick.”
I’m Dr. Bob. As you can see, God is able to put His anointing and power into whatever is necessary on your behalf. Now, keep that truth in your heart and go give the devil a headache. If God is for you, who can be successfully against you.
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